Page 161 of Sloane

“She said the EMTs were very thorough. But I’ll check her over, too. If there’s even an inkling of concern, I’ll go straight to the ER.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll see you guys in a bit.”

After he left, Stu looked over at me brooding on the couch.

“Are you pissed she called him instead of you?”

Yeah, I’m fucking pissed.

I didn’t say that. Instead, I shrugged.

“It makes sense. There’s nothing I would be able to do for them, other than call an Uber. And Ash is perfectly capable of calling for a ride on her own.”

Obviously.

“I’m sure she only called him because she knew he was coming over here today,” Crash offered.

“I’m glad he was here to help.”

He’d be a good bonus dad for Millie. He’d be able to do things with her that I couldn’t. He could show up for her games or at her school and not scare all the kids, and some adults.

Ash and Millie deserved someone they could count on. And that sure as fuck wasn’t me.

I decided I needed to make some phone calls.

****

Ashley

After I hung up with Jeff, I sent Sloane a text. In retrospect, I probably should have done that in the reverse order, especially after finding out Jeff was with Sloane. But my reasoning was if Jeff was driving to the beach house, I didn’t want him to just miss me and have to turn around.

Me: I know you’ve already heard, but I wanted you to hear it from me. We’re okay, just a little shaken up, and I’m probably going to be sore for a while. I wish I could say the same for my Camry.

Sloane: K

Yeah, that wasn’t a good sign.

Part of me felt bad for upsetting him, but another part wanted to tell him to get over himself. I was the one in the accident with Millie. I was the one who no longer had a car; the dude who turned left in front of me didn’t have insurance and after I’d paid off my car loan, I’d changed to liability only insurance to try and save some money.

It looked like that was going to backfire miserably on me.

So sorry I didn’t reach out to you first, knowing perfectly well you wouldn’t be able to immediately help me.

Jeff pulled up in his Porsche like my white knight and immediately examined Millie, who was sound asleep.

“She looks no worse for the wear, although you’ll have to buy her a new car seat—you’re not supposed to reuse a car seat once it’s been in an accident.”

“I know, and I’m getting the same one. She didn’t even wake up until the EMTs unbuckled her.”

“You, on the other hand, I’m a little more worried about.”

“I’m a PTA. I know what I’m going to be dealing with.”

“Just make sure you respect what you went through and don’t push it, okay? There’s a reason for the saying, physician heal thyself.”

As we pulled onto my street, Jeff’s voice became somber.

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